PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – I anxiously await the first post-draft news conference where those responsible for selecting tell us their draft sucked.
Steelers GM Kevin Colbert saying Saturday after drafting 4 defensive, 4 offensive players and a punter.
"Bottom line, I think we are a better team than we were yesterday," Colbert said.
That is the plan. Although the exact scheme, Colbert says, was not to start offensive heavy even with so much need. It's just how the players fell.
"That's just the way it unfolded for us," Colbert said. "Happy to have some
balance. Hopefully, again, we got balanced help for both sides of the football or all three sides of the football. We really added people at every level at positions that we really wanted to add to."
"Obviously I feel better about where we are today than I did on Monday because those are four quality players," said head coach Mike Tomlin about adding a running back, tight end and pair of offensive linemen in the first four selections. "But as I mentioned on Monday, it's just a component. We're excited about
teaching them. We're excited about training. We're excited about the evolution of our schematics. All of those things are going to ultimately determine the look of it all."
Many of the players-both offensive linemen, defensive lineman Isaiah Loudermilk, corner Tre Norwood, linebackers Buddy Johnson and edge rusher Quincy Roche can play multiple positions.
"Yeah, versatility helps them, and it helps us," Tomlin said. "By that I mean when you're a young guy trying to carve out a niche for yourself, versatility aids you in doing so. It also aids us in terms of making decisions and finding work for them. Versatility is an asset that we're really excited about. It helps all parties involved."
Over several years the Steelers picked juniors in the first round, this year was senior heavy. Tomlin said that wasn't the intension but he did want players who were on the field this past season.
"We really were interested in guys who had an opportunity to play in 2020," Tomlin said. "No disrespect to those who didn't play in 2020 or who participated in conferences who had uncertainty in that area. We just had a certain level of comfort with people with fluid resumes and participation in 2020."
The Steelers were so pleased with their draft. They used their final pick, a compensatory seventh rounder, on a punter.
Ray Guy Award winner Pressley Harvin from Georgia Tech, the first African American to win the award in it's 21-year history. He was unanimous All-American averaging 48 yards a kick, 49% of his kicks travel 50 or more yards
"Pressley Harvin is a big legged guy," Colbert said. "When I say that, he has a naturally powerful leg."
He is also built like a linebacker and was a regional champion thrower in track and field in high school. The Steelers may have ended the draft with the ultimate versatility, a punter who does his own tackling.
The Browns and Ravens are also lauding themselves for being better teams after the three days of the NFL Draft.
As Colbert says repeatedly, 'draft classes are measured in championships'. It's been awhile since the Steelers had one of those.
